You can look around the country and tell where they care more about certain things. For example, the South cares more about college football than any other region of the country. The South pours more time and resources into their programs and the results can't be argued: the SEC is the dominate brand across the college football landscape.
The same can be said about Plainview baseball. For more than a decade the Plainview baseball program has dominated the region, and Coach Jeff "Babe" Brooks is the number 1 reason why.
"Attention to detail."
You can drive by almost any day of the year and Babe is out checking on RTI Field at Plainview High School...his field. Mowing, raking, watering and walking around in his sanctuary. An obsession with the game that can't be appreciated until you've taken full notice.
"No nonsense."
Practices don't get rained out at Plainview. The indoor practice facility is proof of the innovation that Brooks has brought to the program. Proof of the resources that Plainview has entrusted Brooks with, the resources that his leadership has earned. And the results can't be argued: Plainview Baseball is the dominate brand across the northeast Alabama baseball landscape.
"He's a winner."
It's been years since Plainview has lost a game against another DeKalb County school or an area opponent. With a 27-4 record in 2015, Babe led the Bears to a 5th consecutive DeKalb County Championship and another deep run in the postseason.
Numerous great players have came and gone: Clay Colvard, Kevin Coleman, Phillip Johnson, Todd Philips, Dana Wright, Colton Campbell, Caleb Spears, Cody Willingham, etc. The one constant has been Babe.
Babe finishes his career with 525 wins and has reached the quarterfinals of the State Playoffs a staggering 9 of the last 11 seasons.
The question now becomes, "Who takes the reigns at Plainview?" The smart money is on Bears assistant coach Phillip Johnson, who played for Brooks at Plainview from 2002-2005 before signing a baseball scholarship with Lee University in Tennessee.
What is clear is that as Jeff "Babe" Brooks finally hangs up his spikes, he immediately takes his place on the Mount Rushmore of DeKalb County coaches.
Great coach, good guy, He will leave a shadow that will stay at Plainview for a long, long, long time. Babe could take a weak, short on talent & make them contenders. I’d hate to be the guy that has to follow him.